Deliberate mistake: In the film, Martha Jefferson visits Thomas in Philadelphia. While this is factually inaccurate (she was actually at home recovering from a miscarriage), it was changed for the sake of drama.

Edward Rutledge: Mr. Adams is now calling our black slaves "Americans." Are they, now?John Adams: Yes, they are. They're people, and they're here. If there's any other requirement, I've never heard of it.Edward Rutledge: They are here, yes. But they are not people, sir, they are property.Thomas Jefferson: No, sir, they are people who are being treated as property!

Act Three (the arrival of Dr. Hall - "But, Mr. Adams") holds the record for the longest period of time in a musical with no music; almost forty-five minutes pass between "The Lees of Old Virginia" and "But, Mr. Adams."